Fans of the immensely popular Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise were shocked recently to learn that the series plans to move on with another new instalment, but this time without its lead, Johnny Depp.

However, it seems the move could be a multimillion-dollar save for the Mouse House, Fox News reports.

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s acrimonious split played out in the tabloids. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for PSIFFSource:Getty Images

In addition, it’s a good time for Disney to distance itself from the former star of the franchise. As previously reported, Depp is selling off a lot of real estate after a legal battle with his former business managers who he claims mishandled his money.

At the same time, he has been having an ongoing public feud with his ex, Amber Heard, after she accused him of domestic violence.

Depp, however, denies those claims. Still, it shines a negative light on the star, which Disney seems to be backing away from during a time when it desperately needs to change the 16-year-old swashbuckling franchise or risk seeing it sink forever.

This article originally appeared on Fox News and was reproduced with permission